ASB appoints New Zealand executive to top job

Tuesday 15th March 2011 2 Comments

The ASB Bank board has appointed New Zealander Barbara Chapman as the new chief executive and managing director of ASB Bank Ltd.

She will also become a non-executive director of Sovereign Assurance Company’s parent company, ASB Group (Life), taking up the new positions on April 26, 2011.

Chapman is returning to New Zealand and ASB after a five-year secondment with parent company Commonwealth Bank of Australia. She is currently CBA's group executive, HR and group services, and has been based in Sydney.

"The board is delighted to confirm Ms Chapman's appointment to the top role at ASB Bank,” said ASB chairman Gary Judd QC.

"Ms Chapman was the stand out candidate for the position. It is a tribute to both Barbara and the strength of CBA Group's senior executive development programme that our leaders are able to seamlessly gain and take advantage of significant hands-on experience across a diverse range of international banking and financial services businesses."

Judd said Chapman had an extensive list of professional achievements to her credit and was a key member of the team that transitioned ABS into a nationally operating, full service financial services institution.

"She understands ASB's culture and people, the New Zealand marketplace and the subtleties of New Zealand's economy," Judd said.

Chapman said she was delighted to be appointed to the role and was looking forward to leading ASB.

"ASB is a soundly performing business with a great team of people, a strong focus on excellent customer service, and a long and proud history of commitment to the communities in which it operates," she said.

"I am looking forward to returning to New Zealand and working with the ASB team to continue to build on these key strengths."

Comments from our readers

On 16 March 2011 at 2:43 pm John Keesing said:

ASB has seen the light - it lost a lot of ground and respect with its previous boss.

On 16 March 2011 at 5:24 pm Christopher said:

Very good choice.